© Nicole Grunwell
© New South Wales Polo Association
Graham McGregor, Präsident New South Wales Polo Association, Australien:
„Schockiert und tief betroffen informiere ich die Polo Community, dass James Ashton am Sonntag an den Folgen eines Sturzes während eines Poloturniers in Thailand gestorben ist. In seiner neuen Rolle als Präsident der Federation of International Polo besuchte er verschiedene Länder Asiens. Zu James’ Erfolgen als 4-Goal-Polospieler zählte unter anderem der dreimalige Sieg beim Countess of Dudley Cup 1966, 1997 und 2006. Gesegnet mit einem bemerkenswerten Auge begeisterte er als leidenschaftlicher und couragierter Wettkämpfer. James Ashton war früher Präsident der NSW Polo Association and des Australian Polo Council. Im Jahr 2001 leitete er den Polo World Cup in Melbourne, bei dem sich die teilnehmenden Länder besonders begeistert über die Qualität der bereitgestellten Pferde zeigten – bei keinem anderen World Cup sei der Standard so hoch gewesen. In seiner unnachahmlichen Art hatte James Polospieler aus dem ganzen Land dazu ermutigt, ihre besten Pferde für dieses Event zur Verfügung zu stellen. Susan und der Familie Ashton sprechen wir unser tief empfundenes Beileid über diesen schweren Verlust aus.“
© Marcel Osztrowszki
Hans Albrecht Freiherr von Maltzahn, Präsident Deutscher Polo Verband:
„Der Unfall von James Ashton war für mich ein Schock. Wir waren viel zusammen während meines Aufenthaltes in Buenos Aires im vergangenen November und Dezember und einmal haben wir uns darüber unterhalten, wann man altersmäßig mit Polo aufhören sollte. Man ist mit zunehmendem Alter eben doch nicht mehr so flexibel und Stürze werden immer gefährlicher. Ist es eine Warnung für mich? Der Verlust dieser großartigen Persönlichkeit ist für die Pologemeinschaft unermesslich. Er genoss als Präsident der FIP eine ungeteilte Akzeptanz und wird nur schwer zu ersetzen sein.“
Richard Drasche-Wartinberg, Präsident Austrian Polo Association:
„Mit James Ashton verlieren wir einen großartigen Freund und Kameraden unseres Sports und der FIP. Es ist sehr schade, dass das nächste FIP Meeting in Florida ohne seine Unterstützung und Erfahrung stattfinden muss. Es ist besonders traurig, dass der Interim Präsident nach so kurzer Zeit durch seinen tragischen Polounfalltod aus seiner erfolgreich begonnenen Tätigkeit abberufen wurde. Die Polowelt trauert und insbesondere die FIP verliert durch ihn einen Topfunktionär, der sich ein Leben lang mit Passion dem Polosport widmete.“
Aron Harilela, Patron of the team “Harilela – the next level” and Winner of the Thai Polo Open 2010:
„It is truly sad that we have witnessed the demise of James Ashton. He was a wonderful president and his love for the game was certain to push it to levels that we would all have been happy to see happen. I am sure that we can keep his passion alive by playing with vigour and promoting the sport everywhere we can. It is a testament to his love of the game that he played constantly until his last day and we will aim to honour that.“
Saeed Bin Drai (Dubai), Teamcaptain Cartier and Winner of the St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow 2010:
„Such situations are tragic and my sympathy goes to his family and friends.“
The Death of James Ashton
These photographs of James Ashton’s last tournament reached us at Polo+10 today, directly from Thailand. The photographs were taken by Nicole Grunwell who was standing only 15 metres away from the scene of the accident.
Graham McGregor, President New South Wales Polo Association, Australia:
“It is with shock and profound sadness that I inform the polo community that James Ashton died yesterday following a fall in a polo tournament in Thailand. He was visiting Asian nations as part of his new role as President of the Federation of International Polo. James’ early Polo career as a 4 goal player included victory in the Countess of Dudley Cup in 1966, a feat that he repeated in 1997 and 2006. Blessed with a remarkable eye he continued as a fierce and courageous competitor to the end. He was a former President of the NSW Polo Association and the Australian Polo Council and ran the 2001 Polo World Cup in Melbourne where competing countries gave James the accolade of providing the highest standard of ponies at any World Cup in history. In his inimitable manner James had encouraged players from all over this vast country to lend their best ponies for the event. Our heartfelt condolences are extended to Susan and the Ashton family upon this dreadful loss.”
Hans Albrecht Freiherr von Maltzahn, President German Polo Association:
“James Ashton’s accident was a shock to me. We spent a lot of time together during my stay in Buenos Aires last November and December and once even talked about what would be the right age at which to stop playing polo. The older one gets the less flexible they are and falls become even more dangerous. Is this a personal warning? The passing of this great personality is an immense loss to the polo community. As FIP President he enjoyed undivided acceptance and he will be difficult to replace.”
Richard Drasche-Wartinberg, President Austrian Polo Association:
“With the death of James Ashton we have lost a great friend and comrade of our sport and of the FIP. It is such a pity that the next FIP meeting in Florida will have to be held without his experience and support. It is especially sad that the FIP has lost an Interim President who served very successfully but for only a short time. The polo community mourns Ashton and the FIP has lost a highly placed functionary who passionately devoted his life to polo.”
Aron Harilela, Patron of the team “Harilela – the next level” and Winner of the Thai Polo Open 2010:
„It is truly sad that we have witnessed the demise of James Ashton. He was a wonderful president and his love for the game was certain to push it to levels that we would all have been happy to see happen. I am sure that we can keep his passion alive by playing with vigour and promoting the sport everywhere we can. It is a testament to his love of the game that he played constantly until his last day and we will aim to honour that.“
Saeed Bin Drai (Dubai), Teamcaptain Cartier and Winner of the St. Moritz Polo World Cup on Snow 2010:
„Such situations are tragic and my sympathy goes to his family and friends.“
